Mental Health & Addictions

Mental Health & Addictions

Mental Health & Addictions

About Us

If you or a loved one are in crisis please call 1-866-299-7447 to speak to a Mental Health First Response Team Member, visit your nearest Emergency Room or dial 911 for emergency assistance.

The Mental Health and Addictions Program (MHAP) delivers best practice clinical mental health and addictions services built on a strong education and research based model. We are committed to ongoing professional development, which ensures that the most advanced clinical intervention is delivered to the individuals who require our services.

Our Team

MHAP values the interdisciplinary team model that provides specialized expertise from a variety of different healthcare professionals which include: Psychiatrists, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Counselors, as well as peer and family involvement. MHAP is highly integrated with our community partner Canadian Mental Health Association Lambton Kent (CMHA LK). This integration provides a seamless continuum of care that has improved access and wait times for individuals requiring mental health services from either organization. MHAP is committed to working within a shared care model with our community partners, with a goal to improve early detection and intervention to reduce the need for ongoing mental health intervention and improve our communities’ overall mental health.

Core Programs

Inpatient Psychiatric Services: The 21-bed inpatient psychiatric unit is designated by the Ministry of Health as a Schedule 1 facility and is governed by the Mental Health Act and the Health Care Consent Act. This means that a patient who meets certain risk criteria may be admitted involuntarily. The focus of an inpatient admission is to treat acute symptoms in order to stabilize a patient’s mental illness and initiate a treatment plan. The goal is for the patient to then successfully transition into the community for ongoing treatment and support, so long as there is a need for mental health services. The inpatient unit provides services in an interdisciplinary team model and works closely with community partners to improve access to resources that individuals require in their recovery process.

Psychiatric Assessment Nurse (PAN): A specialized mental health nurse provides an assessment to the Chatham and Wallaceburg Site Emergency Departments (ED) and any inpatient unit throughout CKHA on a 24/7 basis. A mental health assessment in the ED is completed face to face. Once the assessment is complete, it is shared with the most responsible nurse and physician, at which time a treatment decision is made either to admit or to discharge for community follow-up. Our PAN partners with many other community agencies with a goal of creating a treatment plan that allows the client to return to the community with a coordinated treatment plan in place.

Community based services: MHAP has partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association Lambton Kent (CMHA LK). Together, we provide an integrated mental health and addictions service.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's

What do I do if I need to see someone urgently?

If you are in crisis phone 1.866.299.7447 to speak to a Canadian Mental Health Crisis Worker or go to the Emergency Department (ED) at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (located at both the Chatham Campus and Sydenham Campus). You will be seen by an ED nurse and/or physician, and if you have a mental health problem, a psychiatric assessment nurse (PAN) will be called to meet you in the ED.

The PAN will make an assessment to help determine if a hospital admission is necessary or if follow up can be arranged, for community intervention with the most appropriate community agency. The PAN can also assist with linkages to other community agencies.

Where is your office located?

You can access our offices through the main entrance of CKHA, volunteers or signage will assist to direct you from there. Some of our offices are located at 240 Grand Ave. (across from Chatham Burger).

Do I need a referral?

You do not need a referral for an initial intake appointment to see a therapist, however, you do require a referral to see a psychiatrist. Our staff will assist with this process either through your own family physician or through our internal referral process.

Do you have a children’s mental health program?

For most of our services, we are an adult mental health and addictions service, however, we do have some children’s services: Early Psychosis Intervention Program, Youth Addictions Treatment and Eating Disorders.

Chatham Campus

Sydenham Campus

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance receives funding from the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network. The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network.